June 20, 2012

Hickenlooper remains one of most popular governors

Raleigh, N.C. – Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has again been rated as one of the most popular governors in the country.

After polling an impressive 57% approval rating in April, the first-term Democratic governor is now at 60% approval, one of the highest ratings ever recorded for a governor by PPP.

Hickenlooper’s popularity is not limited to Democratic voters—36% of state Republicans and 62% of Independents approve of the governor’s job performance since he took office in 2011.

The Democratic Party in general is doing well in Colorado. If an election for state legislature were held today, Colorado voters say they would vote for Democratic candidates over Republican candidates 46-41. Independents say they favor Democratic legislative candidates over Republican ones, 35-34. Hispanics support Democratic legislative candidates over Republican ones 58-31.

Looking ahead to the 2014 U.S. Senate race, Democratic Senator Mark Udall holds up well to all potential Republican challengers. Udall, who holds a 42% approval rating, defeats all but two challengers by double digits, and the first-term senator wins Independents in every matchup.

Ken Buck, who challenged Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet in 2010, trails by 15 points (50-35), and has just an 18% favorability rating among Colorado voters.

Former Republican Lieutenant Gov. Jane Norton trails Udall by 10 points, and has a 21% favorability rating with state voters.

Tom Tancredo, former Republican congressman and controversial illegal immigration opponent, is similarly behind Udall by 10 points, and has a favorability rating of 31%. Tancredo is the most recognized potential challenger with 75% name recognition.

Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn trails Udall by 13 points, and 13% of Colorado voters have a favorable opinion of him. 60% of Coloradans are not sure of their opinion of the three-term congressman.

Current Republican Attorney General John Suthers trails by 10 points and has a 19% favorability rating with state voters. Suthers is the least recognized potential Republican candidate with just 38% name recognition.

37% of Colorado voters approve of Democratic Senator Michael Bennet’s job performance, up from 33% in April, when the last statewide approval poll was conducted.

A substantial majority (56-38) supports the Colorado legislature passing a bill that would let same-sex couples form civil unions. Colorado voters supported the measure by a 30-point spread (62-32) in April.

The bill has widespread support, with 27% of Republicans supporting the bill, 58% of Independents supporting it, and Hispanic voters supporting the bill by a 33-point margin (65-32).

Voters over 65 are the only age group to oppose a civil unions bill (48% oppose to 45% support). Young voters are the most supportive of a civil unions bill, with 66% in support to just 31% in opposition.

A plurality (46-42) of Coloradans is in favor of Amendment 64, which proposes legalizing marijuana use. Support is split along party lines, with 62% of Democrats supporting the amendment and 62% of Republicans opposing it. Independents support the amendment 49-40.

49% of Colorado voters think marijuana use should be legalized, while 43% think it should remain illegal. Hispanic voters are one of the few groups that don’t support legalizing marijuana use—47% think it should remain illegal to 44% who think it should be legalized.

Unsurprisingly, young voters (age 18 to 29) are the most supportive of marijuana legalization, while voters over 65 are the most opposed. Young voters support legalizing marijuana usage by a 25-point spread (58-33), while voters over 65 oppose it by a similar 25-point margin (58-33).

PPP surveyed 799 Colorado voters from June 14th to June 17th. The margin of error for the survey is +/-3.5%. This poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization. PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews.

Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q4 If there was an election for the state legislaturetoday, would you vote Democratic orRepublican?Democratic............. .46%Republican............. .41%Undecided.............. .13%

Q5 Amendment 64 is an amendment to theColorado constitution concerning marijuana,and, in connection therewith, providing for theregulation of marijuana; permitting a persontwenty-one years of age or older to consume orpossess limited amounts of marijuana;providing for the licensing of cultivationfacilities, product manufacturing facilities,testing facilities, and retail stores; permittinglocal governments to regulate or prohibit suchfacilities; requiring the general assembly toenact an excise tax to be levied uponwholesale sales of marijuana; requiring that thefirst $40 million in revenue raised annually bysuch tax be credited to the public school capitalconstruction assistance fund; and requiring thegeneral assembly to enact legislationgoverning the cultivation, processing, and saleof industrial hemp. If the election was today,would you vote or against Amendment 64?For ......................... .46%Against................... .42%Not sure ................. .12%

Q7 Would you support or oppose the Coloradolegislature passing a bill that would let samesexcouples form civil unions?Support .................. .56%Oppose .................. .38%Not sure ................. . 6%

Q13 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinionof John Suthers?Favorable........................................................ 19%Unfavorable .................................................... 19%Not sure .......................................................... 62%

Q14 If the candidates for US Senate in 2014 wereDemocrat Mark Udall and Republican BillOwens, who would you vote for?Mark Udall....................................................... 47%Bill Owens....................................................... 43%Not sure .......................................................... 10%

Q15 If the candidates for US Senate in 2014 wereDemocrat Mark Udall and Republican KenBuck, who would you vote for?Mark Udall....................................................... 50%Ken Buck ........................................................ 35%Not sure .......................................................... 15%

Q16 If the candidates for US Senate in 2014 wereDemocrat Mark Udall and Republican JaneNorton, who would you vote for?Mark Udall....................................................... 48%Jane Norton .................................................... 38%Not sure .......................................................... 14%

Q17 If the candidates for US Senate in 2014 wereDemocrat Mark Udall and Republican TomTancredo, who would you vote for?Mark Udall....................................................... 49%Tom Tancredo ................................................. 39%Not sure .......................................................... 11%

Q18 If the candidates for US Senate in 2014 wereDemocrat Mark Udall and Republican DougLamborn, who would you vote for?Mark Udall....................................................... 49%Doug Lamborn ................................................ 36%Not sure .......................................................... 15%

Q19 If the candidates for US Senate in 2014 wereDemocrat Mark Udall and Republican MikeCoffman, who would you vote for?Mark Udall....................................................... 48%Mike Coffman.................................................. 39%Not sure .......................................................... 13%

Q20 If the candidates for US Senate in 2014 wereDemocrat Mark Udall and Republican JohnSuthers, who would you vote for?Mark Udall....................................................... 48%John Suthers................................................... 38%Not sure .......................................................... 14%

Q21 Who did you vote for President in 2008?John McCain................................................... 41%Barack Obama................................................ 51%Someone else/Don't remember ...................... 8%

Q23 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.Woman ........................................................... 51%Man................................................................. 49%

Q24 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,press 2. If you are an independent or identifywith another party, press 3.Democrat ........................................................ 39%Republican...................................................... 35%Independent/Other.......................................... 26%

Q26 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you areolder than 65, press 4.18 to 29........................................................... 12%30 to 45........................................................... 24%46 to 65........................................................... 44%Older than 65.................................................. 20%

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